Roma Culture Roma Culture Festivals in EuropeFestivals in Europe

Ralf Čeplak MencinRalf Čeplak Mencin

SloveniaSloveniaRalf.ceplak@etno-muzej.siRalf.ceplak@etno-muzej.si

EFRP RESEARCH WORKSHOPEFRP RESEARCH WORKSHOP

Artistic festivals with a social and intellectual agendaArtistic festivals with a social and intellectual agenda

Poznan, April 24th-25th 2010Poznan, April 24th-25th 2010

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The The Roma,Roma, exonym exonym Gypsies) Gypsies) ethnic group of 10 to 15 million ethnic group of 10 to 15 million people people scattered throughout the scattered throughout the worldworld//living mostly in Europe, living mostly in Europe, their origins in medieval India their origins in medieval India 1000 years ago.1000 years ago.

nomad lifestyle because of nomad lifestyle because of persecution until mid. 20th persecution until mid. 20th century.century.

the most discriminated, the most discriminated, persecuted, and marginalised persecuted, and marginalised ethnic groupethnic group in Europe. in Europe.

The Roma Pharraimos (Holocaust) The Roma Pharraimos (Holocaust) was ignored until recently.was ignored until recently.

TThe 1st major international he 1st major international meeting of Romani meeting of Romani representatives in 1971 near representatives in 1971 near London. London.

Established a common name Established a common name ROMA, anthem and flag. April 8th ROMA, anthem and flag. April 8th became The international Roma became The international Roma day.day.

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Roma/Gypsy Culture festivals emerged in Europe Roma/Gypsy Culture festivals emerged in Europe mostly in the last decade as a specific mostly in the last decade as a specific phenomena in the festival domain.phenomena in the festival domain.

Leading goals: Leading goals: to combat racism and xenophobia, to combat racism and xenophobia, to help to protect and respect human rights, to help to protect and respect human rights, to teach tolerance towards the Roma minorityto teach tolerance towards the Roma minority..

The aim: The aim: to make a broad public aware that Roma have an to make a broad public aware that Roma have an

old and rich “culture” or “cultures” as any other old and rich “culture” or “cultures” as any other ethnic group or nation which should be equally ethnic group or nation which should be equally respected and enjoyed.respected and enjoyed.

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The oldest known RThe oldest known Roma/Gypsy festivaloma/Gypsy festival and and pilgrimage (since the medieval times) pilgrimage (since the medieval times)

TheThe Saintes-Maries-de-la-MerSaintes-Maries-de-la-Mer religious in its roots, today also a culture festival religious in its roots, today also a culture festival

happening in May in Camargue region/France.happening in May in Camargue region/France.

The youngest festival The youngest festival Romano Chon/Roma MonthRomano Chon/Roma Month (since 2009), held in April in Slovenia. (since 2009), held in April in Slovenia.

The latest event,not yet called a festival is The latest event,not yet called a festival is The forgotten GenocideThe forgotten Genocide (April 2010) in (April 2010) in

Helsinki/Finland.Helsinki/Finland.

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Festivals emerged in the last decade:Festivals emerged in the last decade:- Khamoro World Roma festival - Khamoro World Roma festival (since 1999)(since 1999) in in Prague, Czech republic in May, Prague, Czech republic in May, - the children Roma festival- the children Roma festival Open Heart Open Heart (since 2003) (since 2003) in VelikoTurnovo / Bolgaria, in VelikoTurnovo / Bolgaria, in June,in June, - - Gypsy Roma Traveller History MonthGypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) (GRTHM) (since 2008) in many parts of Great Britain in June, (since 2008) in many parts of Great Britain in June, - Romart festival- Romart festival in Subotica (since 2006), Serbia in in Subotica (since 2006), Serbia in July, July, - IRAF - International Romani Art Festival- IRAF - International Romani Art Festival (since (since 2006) in Timisoara, Romania in July, 2006) in Timisoara, Romania in July, -- Roma Truba Fest (since 2006) - Roma Truba Fest (since 2006) in Kumanovo, in Kumanovo, Macedonia in October.Macedonia in October.

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CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

The concepts of the Roma festivals differ.The concepts of the Roma festivals differ.

Most of them combine artistic components :Most of them combine artistic components :exhibitions, concerts of traditional »Gypsy« music, new exhibitions, concerts of traditional »Gypsy« music, new

waves of music like Gypsy Swing, Hip-hop or even Rap, waves of music like Gypsy Swing, Hip-hop or even Rap, dance, different workshops, film projections, lectures, dance, different workshops, film projections, lectures, debates, theatre and puppet shows, different kind of debates, theatre and puppet shows, different kind of performances etc.performances etc.

They become »centres of celebration of Roma culture They become »centres of celebration of Roma culture and its history«.and its history«.

They tackle the negative stereotyping and prejudices.They tackle the negative stereotyping and prejudices.

They try to make aware the wast »European majority« They try to make aware the wast »European majority« of its xenofobic attitude towards the biggest »European of its xenofobic attitude towards the biggest »European minority«.minority«.

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They are very attractive for the media through its colourful They are very attractive for the media through its colourful events, even it’s “exotic” appearance.events, even it’s “exotic” appearance.

The output or impact is difficult to measure, because it’s a The output or impact is difficult to measure, because it’s a long term process.long term process.

It’s very important that the creative members are Roma (not It’s very important that the creative members are Roma (not just non-Roma/Gadje), which neutralizes non-Roma paternalism just non-Roma/Gadje), which neutralizes non-Roma paternalism and makes a sence to the Roma cultural festivals.and makes a sence to the Roma cultural festivals.

Usually they are a manifestation of collaboration of different Usually they are a manifestation of collaboration of different NGO’s and government institutions and a model of good NGO’s and government institutions and a model of good practice.practice.

Some became part of the Council of Europe initiated Some became part of the Council of Europe initiated Route of Route of Roma Culture and Heritage Roma Culture and Heritage as a tool for intercultural dialogue, as a tool for intercultural dialogue, cultural tourism and sustainable development and European cultural tourism and sustainable development and European integration.integration.